AudioFu

Best 4-String P-Basses Under $2,000 2026

Affordable 4-string p-basses under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: February 11, 2026 • Next update: February 18, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Rock For Pop For Country For Blues For Classic Rock For Alternative
BRANDS: Fender Harley Benton Sandberg Sadowsky Marcus Miller Squier Lakland Yamaha
Sandberg California II VM 4 PF BB GH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sandberg California II VM 4 PF BB GH

by Sandberg
Classic Rock Country Alternative
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Thicker neck profile

Sandberg California II VM 4 PF BB GHElectric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: Pau FerroWhite dot fretboard...

⭐ 5.0/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 520935
$1,924
Buy at Thomann View Details
Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV MAH NAT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV MAH NAT

by Charvel
Pop Alternative Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV MAH NATElectric BassBody: AlderNeck: Caramelised mapleFingerboard: Caramelised mapleCream dot...

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 583619
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Vintera II 60s P-Bass OWT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Fender Vintera II 60s P-Bass OWT

by Fender
Country Pop Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Fender Vintera 60s P-Bass OWTElectric BassVintera II SeriesBody: AlderNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 571486
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Nate Mendel P Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Fender Nate Mendel P Bass

by Fender
Pop Blues Country
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Fender Nate Mendel P BassElectric BassNate Mendel signature modelBody: ashNeck profile: mapleFretboard: rosewood20...

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 297000
$1,759
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Steve Harris P-Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Fender Steve Harris P-Bass

by Fender
Country Classic Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Thicker neck profile

Fender Steve Harris P-BassBass GuitarSteve Harris (Iron Maiden) signature modelTwo-piece maple bodyMaple neckU neck...

⭐ 4.8/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 355172
$1,703
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado SSM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado SSM

by Sadowsky
Country Classic Rock Alternative
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado SSMElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Morado (pau...

⭐ 4.9/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596260
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Mod P Bass MN 3TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Fender Player II Mod P Bass MN 3TS

by Fender
Rock Alternative Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Thicker neck profile

Fender Player II Mod P Bass MN 3TSElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleNeck profile: Modern...

⭐ 4.7/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 609109
$1,196
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VM 4 PF BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sandberg California II VM 4 PF BK

by Sandberg
Rock Blues Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Thicker neck profile

Sandberg California II VM 4 PF BKElectric BassBody: AshNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard: RosewoodFingerboard radius:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 583453
$1,924
Buy at Thomann View Details
Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV Sonic Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV Sonic Blue

by Charvel
Classic Rock Country Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Thicker neck profile

Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV Sonic BlueElectric BassBody: AlderNeck: caramelised mapleFingerboard: caramelised...

⭐ 4.8/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 583610
$1,143
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado CAR

by Sadowsky
Classic Rock Blues Country
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado CARElectric bassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: MoradoScale: 864...

⭐ 4.9/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596214
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakland Skyline 44-64 Custom 4 WH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Lakland Skyline 44-64 Custom 4 WH

by Lakland
Country Alternative Pop
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Less modern features

Lakland Skyline 44-64 Custom 4 BKElectric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodPearl block fingerboard...

⭐ 4.9/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 574498
$1,814
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 RM SGM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 RM SGM

by Sadowsky
Rock Alternative Country
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less modern features
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 RM SGMElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 5.0/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 596231
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb PJ 4 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb PJ 4 BK

by Sadowsky
Classic Rock Alternative Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Less modern features

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb PJ 4 BKElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.9/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 596196
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Mod P Bass RW HGM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Fender Player II Mod P Bass RW HGM

by Fender
Classic Rock Country Pop
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Fender Player II Mod P Bass RW HGMElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile: Modern...

⭐ 4.7/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 609108
$1,196
Buy at Thomann View Details
Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV Satin Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV Satin Black

by Charvel
Alternative Pop Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV Satin BlackElectric BassBody: AlderNeck: caramelised mapleFingerboard: caramelised...

⭐ 4.7/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 583623
$1,143
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 4-String P-Basses

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 4-string p-basses typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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